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US 5,291,244 AGranted
Image forming apparatus communication system
AssigneeSharp Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsJunichi Kajiwara, Shigeharu Maehara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A copying machine communication system is arranged so as to form a network by connecting a plurality of copying machines including ROMs which respectively store programs of various versions and a host computer in a service station through a public telephone line. This enables a serviceman in the service station to confirm the program version of the copying machine installed in a user's place, thereby permitting the serviceman to offer a prompt and efficient service.
Claims12
An image forming apparatus communication system comprising:
- an image forming apparatus including control means for controlling operations of said image forming apparatus based on a program stored therein;
- a host device which includes input means and display means, for giving said image forming apparatus an instruction corresponding to an input from the input means, and for displaying on the display means an information based on an information signal received from said image forming apparatus;
- and
- communication means for communicating between said image forming apparatus and said host device, and
- wherein said image forming apparatus includes means for transmitting an information signal indicating a program version of the control means to said host device through said communication means based on the instruction from said host device received through said communication means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.